cars

allpar - chrysler - dodge - plymouth - jeep web site

Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Diesels

Mitsubishi dieselEarly use of diesels

Dodge used a Mitsubishi diesel in 1978 in pickups and Power Wagons. The engine was the Mitsubishi 6DR5, 3950 cc, with 105 hp at 3500 rpm; it was virtually identical to the Land Cruiser diesel engine of the time. The year this engine was dropped is unclear.

Cummins engines didn’t get into Dodge Rams until 1989, but were surprisingly popular once they became available (see the Ram history page and Cummins diesel engines page).

Chrysler has used numerous VM Motori diesels in vehicles sold in Europe, as well as Jeeps sold in numerous regions. Chrysler also briefly used a Mercedes 3-liter V6 diesel.

1999-2001 Chrysler and Jeep diesel engines

Chrysler had new diesel engines for export markets in 1999. The 2.5 was for minivans and Jeeps, the 1.9 was for cars, and the 3.1 was for Jeeps; the smaller engines were direct-injected four-valve turbodiesels, released in 2001 (1.9) and 1999 (2.5), while the 3.1 liter was a five-cylinder. All had better performance, efficiency, and noise levels than the earlier models, and met Stage III emissions rules. They all had:

  • Common Rail Fuel Control (CR) with a high-pressure pump to achieve 1,500 bar injection pressures, for better spray atomization, maintained throughout the full engine speed range.
  • Pilot injection — a fuel spray which precedes the main spray to initiate combustion, to reduce noise.
  • 1.9 liter turbodiesel engine Four valve direct injection brought 15% better fuel efficiency than indirect injection. Direct injection is most efficient when the injector is centrally located, which is not possible in a two-valves-per-cylinder engine.
  • Cooled EGR (optional) enhanced the emission-controlling benefits of conventional EGR systems.
  • Swirl Control (optional) at the cylinder head intake matched the air motion in the combustion chamber with the needs of the engine, without sacrificing the amount of flow. One port was tangential for maximum flow, while the other was designed to induce swirl to air entering the combustion chamber, based on engine load and speed.
  • A special NOx catalyst.

The engines were:

  • The Detroit Diesel/VM Motori 3.1 litre on the 1999 Grand Cherokee; it had an electronic injection pump, and electronically-controlled, vacuum-actuated exhaust gas recirculation.
  • The 1.9 liter from Detroit Diesel and FEV Engine Technology met EURO IV emissions standards, and featured centrally located fuel injectors, direct injection, four valves per cylinder, and electronic EGR.
  • The VM Motori 2.5 liter diesel replaced the existing 2.5 litre diesel in the Voyager, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee. It had balance shafts for reduced vibration. Gas mileage was 15% better than the older diesel, with more power, thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, swirl control, and other new features.
  1.8 Liter Detroit Diesel / FEV 2.5 Liter Detroit Diesel / VM Motori 3.1 Liter Detroit Diesel / VM Motori
Manufactured: Saltillo, Mexico Cento, Italy Cento, Italy
Projected Volume: 25,000 - 30,000 a year 20,000 a year 13,000 a year
Mileage: 5.3 l/100km (small cars); 5.7 litres/100km (mid-sized) 15% more than older 2.5-litre diesel, with 10% increase in power 30% better than the gasoline engine it replaces
Displacement: 1,896cc 2,499cc 3,124cc
Power: 86 kW/115 bhp w/intercooler, 67 kW/90 bhp w/o intercooler; 230 N-m/170 lb-ft w/intercooler, 179 N-m/132 lb-ft w/o intercooler 104 kW/140 bhp; 320N-m/236 lb-ft 104 Kw/140 bhp; 367 Nm/271 lb-ft
Transmission: Five speed manual only Five speed manual only Four speed electronically controlled automatic

2006 Chrysler and Jeep diesel engines in Europe (from Chrysler releases provided by Doug Hetrick)

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, and Chrysler 300C had an optional new 3-liter Mercedes common-rail V6 diesel, with 2,000+ bar Bosch fuel injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, and four valves per cylinder; it met Euro 4 standards, using a particulate filter on the 300C. Maximum power was 160 kW (218 hp DIN) and peak torque was 510 N.m (376 lb.-ft.) at 1800 rpm. The engine was mated to a Mercedes W5A580 automatic transmission, and weighed 208 kg / 459 lb. Fuel consumption with the 300C was 8.1 L/100 km, EU standard for sedan (8.3 for touring).

The PT Cruiser used a variable geometry turbo, measuring 2.2 liters, generating 110 kW (150 hp) with the same gas mileage as the previous, less powerful unit (6.7 L/100 km, combined cycle). Maximum torque of 300 Nm (221 lb.-ft) was produced from 1600 rpm to 3000 rpm. Matched to a five-speed manual transmission, this engine reduced the 0-to-100 km/h acceleration time from 12.1 seconds in the previous model to 10.8 seconds (estimated). The engine was an advanced common-rail design, Euro 4 compliant, with less high-frequency combustion noise than the previous diesel engine.

Horsepower ratings may vary from country to country and year to year. Lars noted that the 2005 2.5 VM engine is also sold with 120 hp (“negative chip tuning”).

1987-2005 Chrysler and Jeep diesel engines (thanks, Doug Hetrick)

Years Model Engine Trans. HP (kW) lb-ft (Nm) C/R mpg city /
hway/ combined
Top Speed /
0-60
2003-2005 PT Cruiser Mercedes 2.2 5-speed 121 (84) 221 (300) 18:1 26 / 42 / 34 114 mph / 12.1 sec
2003-2005 Voyager VM Motori 2.5* 5-speed 143 (105) 251 28.5 / 44 / 37 115 / 11.9
2005 Voyager VM Motori 2.8 4-speed auto 150 265 17.5:1 25 / 33 / 29 112 / 12.0
2005 Grand Voyager VM Motori 2.8 4 speed auto 150 265 17.5:1 25 / 32 / 29 112 / 12.0
1987-1993 Cherokee Renault 2.1 85 115 26 / 32 / na
1992-2001 Voyager VM 2.5* 5 speed 115 221 (300)
1994-2001 Cherokee / GC VM 2.5 5 speed 115 221 (300)
2003-2005 Cherokee Sport VM 2.5 5 speed 141 251 17.5:1 24 / 38 / 31 na / 13.5
2004-05 Cherokee 4x4 VM 2.8 VGT 5 speed auto 148 266 17.5:1 22/34/28.5 na / 12.6
2002-04 Grand Cherokee MB 2.7 I-5 5 speed auto 161 295 18:1 23/35/29 na / 11.2
1999-2001 Jeeps DD/VM 3.1 4 speed auto 140 (104) 271 (367) 11,7 l/100km 170 km/h
1978-? Dodge trucks Mitsubishi 3.9 A-727 auto 105 170? 20+ highway?  

* 1992-1995 in Model ES with timing gears; 1996-98 in Model GS with chains (thanks, Doug Hetrick); 1999-2000 in Model GS with timing gears. “The gear model started around Sept 1997. The only way to see which model is to look at the injection pump. The chain model has Bosch 0 460 404 975 while the gear model has Bosch 0 460 404 963.”

Also see these diesel pages at allpar:

Allpar covers all Chrysler and related vehicles* and the company itself. Use the menus on top of the pages!

Allpar on G+. • Classified ads: buy or sell a car • Please read the terms of use! We are not responsible for the consequences of actions taken based on this site and make no guarantees regarding validity, accuracy, or applicability of information or advice. Copyright © 1998-2000, David Zatz; copyright © 2001-2013, Allpar LLC (except as noted, and press/publicity materials); all rights reserved. Privacy policy. Mopar, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, HEMI, and certain other names are trademarks of Chrysler, LLC, not us.

Allpar - home of Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep, and Dodge car, truck, and minivan information.